Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix

"Great game, great songs, but lacking 1 key feature"

Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix is more of an evolutionary title in the DDR series, as opposed to the revolutionary versions seen in 2nd and 3rd.

There are 58 total songs in this latest release from the music game Gods at Konami. 18 of these songs must be unlocked via the usual way in DDR, playing game mode, over and over again. There is an overall nice selection of songs from disco to hip-hop; electronica to...just plain weird. Some of the songs include a remix of ''Saints Go Marching In'', replete with a section where the beat halves itself, and so do the speed of the steps. Another of my favorites is a very strange song simply known as ''Orion.78''. I..I cannot begin to describe how strange the song is.

There is 1 trial song from the upcoming Dance Dance Revolution 5th Mix, which is entitled ''Dancing All Alone''. Konami didn't dedicate that song to it's own ''Trial'' area like they have for the last 2 releases, they grouped it along with the other songs in game mode. It has caused many confused faces when the difficulties read ''Basic: 2foot; Trick: 1foot; Maniac: 1foot''

Solo mode was added in, which is neat. Solo mode, for those who don't know, is a spin off of Dance Dance Revolution called ''Solo Bass'' & ''Solo 2000''. These were 1 player stand alone machines, with 6 panels. In addition to the up down left right, an up-left & up-right panels were added to the machine. It definitely made for a different style of play.

A version for 4th Mix was released called ''Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix Solo'', was released, which allowed 2 player side by side play in either 4 or 6 panel mode. Now, the strange side to this, is while Konami did put in a solo mode, they did NOT put in any of the songs from 4th Solo. Go figure. I can understand no songs from Solo Bass or Solo 2000 (seeing as they ARE different games), but nothing from 4th?

My biggest gripe with the game, is the lack of a disc change feature. WHY?! 2nd and 3rd both had them, and they were damn useful btw.
What went through the minds at Konami to leave this feature out? Perhaps Konami tried to rush this game to market? Minor lacking feature, but big annoyance to me.

Overall, this game isn't REALLY a must have. If you love the DDR series, and just GOTTA have it, go for it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/23/01, Updated 03/23/01